Kids should walk, bike or bus to school

LETTER - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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It's exciting seeing kids walking, bicycling and scooting to school. What a great way to start the day.

Getting around on our own power makes us more alert and ready to face the day.

Parents make choices and driving one's child to school is still a choice for many. It seems convenient and appears safer, when actually driving your child in the car is more dangerous than walking or taking the bus.

Additionally, school drop-off and pick-up creates more traffic, poor air quality and makes streets more dangerous for kids walking and bicycling.

The CDC reports the No. 1 strategy for reducing inactivity-related diseases is shifting auto trips to walking and bicycling. If school trips don't work, walk or bike regularly for errands. Mobile children are healthy children. Walking, bicycling and riding the school bus - which incorporates walking - provide fresh air, physical activity and develop healthy life-long habits.

Kids who walk or bike to school do better on exams. Tests show improved concentration, learning and creativity and improved mood for up to 2 hours after exercise.

It's "International Walk to School Month." Teach your child to value community, physical activity and the environment by walking, biking or busing to school.

Donna Merlina

Bellingham

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